| English Dictionary |
THUMBSCREW
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Dictionary entry overview: What does thumbscrew mean?
• THUMBSCREW (noun)
The noun THUMBSCREW has 2 senses:
1. instrument of torture that crushes the thumb
2. screw designed to be turned with the thumb and fingers
Familiarity information: THUMBSCREW used as a noun is rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Instrument of torture that crushes the thumb
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("thumbscrew" is a kind of...):
instrument of torture (an instrument of punishment designed and used to inflict torture on the condemned person)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Screw designed to be turned with the thumb and fingers
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("thumbscrew" is a kind of...):
screw (a fastener with a tapered threaded shank and a slotted head)
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